Tag: Seattle Mariners

Julio Rodriguez made the dumbest baserunning error while dodging a flying bat

What are you DOING, Julio Rodriguez?!

The Seattle Mariners are in the thick of a hyper-competitive AL Wild Card race, but they’ve had two baserunning blunders to forget against the Yankees.

The first was Victor Robles trying to steal home on a 3-0 count earlier this week. The second came on Wednesday thanks to Julio Rodriguez.

J-Rod was on third in the 10th inning when Randy Arozarena struck out and his bat went flying out of his hands toward Rodriguez. The outfielder ran to get out of the way of the bat … but the ball was still very much live. A throw to third and Rodriguez was out. Inning over, and the Yankees would go on to win.

OUCH.

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The Mariners turned the weirdest double play after the Angels horribly botched the bunt on a squeeze play

That’s a new one.

The Angels are a last-place team for a reason. They’re near the bottom of the league in runs scored, and even attempts at producing runs via small ball seem to backfire.

But I don’t think anyone could have foreseen a squeeze play going the way it did on Saturday night against the Mariners.

With Jack Lopez at the plate and a runner on third with no outs, Ron Washington looked to catch the Mariners napping by dialing up a squeeze play. Taylor Ward took off from third on the pitch, and all Lopez had to do was lay down a half-decent bunt.

Spoiler: He did not.

https://twitter.com/TalkinBaseball_/status/1830095200632385949

While Lopez did manage to get his bunt down in fair territory, the ball astonishingly stopped on the plate. That allowed catcher Cal Raleigh to quickly pick up the baseball and tag Ward out at home.

Lopez might have even gotten tagged in that initial mayhem, but just to make sure, Raleigh alertly tossed the ball to Justin Turner to complete the double play. And just like that, the Angels went from potentially taking the lead to ending the eighth with a scoreless effort. Despite the mishap, the Angels went on to win, 5-4.

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Everyone was so confused after Gavin Lux’s HR ball came back onto the field from under the Dodger Stadium wall

How does that even happen?

You truly never know what you’ll see in a given baseball game. Despite the sport’s 100-plus-year history, a random August game can lead to something we’ve never seen before. And I can assure you that Gavin Lux has never hit a home run quite like the one he hit on Tuesday night.

With the Dodgers down three runs in the fourth inning against the Mariners, Lux appeared to get the Dodgers on the board with a home run to right-center field. Victor Robles made a leaping attempt at the ball and crashed hard into the wall. When he rolled to his side, the baseball was in view on the warning track.

The umpires initially signaled home run, which had Lux slowing his run and stopping at third. So, had the ball been live all along, Lux likely would’ve had himself an inside-the-park home run. But none of that actually mattered once the umpiring crew reviewed the play.

The reason the baseball was on the field was that it fell back onto the warning track from *beneath* the wall’s padding. Here’s another look:

How does that even happen? The odds for Lux to hit a home run in that specific spot to find a gap in the wall had to be so slim. And despite the initial confusion, Lux was awarded the home run after review. The Dodgers went on to win, 6-3.

Still, fans couldn’t believe how that baseball ended back on the field.

This was how Twitter/X reacted

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Luis Castillo completely humiliated the Mets’ José Iglesias with a ridiculous 96 mph sinker for a strikeout

He literally had him taking a seat.

There is no task more difficult in sports than hitting big-league pitching. Sure, there are arguments to be made for other sports, but at times, MLB pitchers have it seem miraculous that anyone is even able to make contact.

On Sunday, Mariners pitcher Luis Castillo offered his own case for that argument.

Facing Mets third baseman José Iglesias in the fourth inning with a 1-2 count, Castillo broke out a 96 mph sinker that basically had Iglesias swinging out of his shoes. Iglesias — who is having himself a great season — looked completely overmatched as he swung through the inside pitch and fell to the ground.

Like, what is Iglesias even supposed to do there? The pitch looked like it was heading towards the heart of the strike zone before abruptly running inside — 20 inches of horizontal break will do that.

Even the best hitters are bound to get embarrassed from time to time. It just happened to be Iglesias’ turn on Sunday.

Fans were understandably stunned with that pitch. That’s a tough strikeout to bounce back from.

This was how Twitter/X reacted

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Mariners manager Scott Servais spotted at Seahawks training camp

Mariners manager Scott Servais spotted at Seahawks training camp

The neighboring Seattle Seahawks and Mariners have always had a solid relationship between the two teams. Players from both are often featured in the other’s pregame ritutals. Such as Julio Rodriguez and Cal Raleigh raising the 12th Man Flag, or Richard Sherman and Byron Murphy II throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.

Then of course there was relieft pitcher – and Maple Valley native – Tayler Saucedo “auditioning” to be a Seahawks quarterback.

But the latest Seahawks/Mariners crossover happened yesterday at training camp with Mariners manager Scott Servais stopping by. The Mariners had an off day following their six-day road trip against both Sox teams. Taking advantage of his neighborhood, Servais made an appearance.

It is weird to think but with the departure of Pete Carroll this offseason, Scott Servais is now the longest tenured coach in Seattle’s professional sports scene. Servais was hired in October of 2015. The only other coach who rivals his longevity at this point is Sounders top man Brian Schmetzer, who became the head coach in July of 2016. Storm head coach Noelle Quinn has only been in her role since 2019, and the Kraken just hired Dan Bylsma this year.

Of course, Mike Macdonald is brand new to the scene as well, but this practically goes without saying.

The Mariners take the field once more tonight for a weekend series against the perennial World Series contender Philadelphia Phillies. The Mariners are in a statistical tie for first place with the Houston Astros, who are hosting the Tampa Bay Rays.

More Seahawks Wire stories 

Seahawks DB Tre Brown makes big-time play at training camp practice

MRI reveals good news for Seahawks QB Geno Smith

Seahawks won’t practice, play versus superstar receiver in preseason

Randy Arozarena trade grades: Who won the Mariners – Rays deal?

Let’s grade this trade.

Hey now! We’ve got a trade in Major League Baseball!

As the 2024 trade deadline approaches on Tuesday, July 30, we’ve seen our first major deal with veteran outfielder Randy Arozarena getting dealt from Tampa Bay — where he was a Ray for five years after the Cardinals traded him there in 2020 — to the Seattle Mariners, who are in the mix in the AL West and could use a bat.

So, as usual, we’ll throw out some grades for each of the sides and declare who won or lost this one. Here’s a breakdown of the trade and grades for the Mariners and Rays:

The details of the trade

Mariners get: OF Randy Arozarena

Rays get: RHP Brody Hopkins, OF Aidan Smith and a player to be named later

Seattle Mariners grade

Peter Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Sure, Arozarena isn’t having a great year with a career-low .211 average. But he’s hit 15 dingers, stolen 16 bases, and is generally the sparkplug we know he can be. That’s worth a change-of-scenery trade at a low price.

And it’s that low price — Hopkins and Smith aren’t big names in their system — that has me giving them a solid grade. We’ll see who the player to be named is, but ultimately, bringing in a guy like Arozarena means Seattle is going to go for it and that’s good!

GRADE: A-minus

Tampa Bay Rays grade

I guess we’ll see who the PTBNL is, but when you have a player on a roster that is struggling, who has a contract that runs out at the end of the year, and you’re the Rays with a small payroll, you have to make this trade. I trust the front office more than I do others, so my feeling is they’re getting what they can for Arozarena.

GRADE: B

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A Mariners fan classily reached out on Twitter to get Yordan Alvarez his ball after a cycle

The classiest fan is right here.

Hey, this is a really nice thing to share!

A Seattle Mariners fan named Amy Franz was at T-Mobile Park on Sunday and caught a home run hit by Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez. It’s not the most noteworthy … until he hit a double in the eighth inning to complete the cycle.

So Franz used the power of social media to tell the Astros and Mariners that she wanted to give him the ball. Sure enough, Alvarez met up with her and gave her an autographed ball in thanks, despite the fact that she didn’t ask for anything in return.

Lovely!

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Seattle Mariners sign Longhorns closer Gage Boehm

The Texas native signed with the Seattle Mariners on Friday and will take his talents to the Pacific Northwest

After going undrafted, former Longhorns RHP Gage Boehm has signed his first professional contract. The Texas native signed with the Seattle Mariners on Friday and will take his talents to the Pacific Northwest. After an impressive 2024 season with the Longhorns, he will look to make an impact in the Mariners system.

Boehm was an effective piece in his lone year as a Longhorn, posting a 2.53 ERA in 25 appearances. He also struck out 60 batters and held opponents to a .187 batting average. With Boehm in the back of the bullpen, Texas was a formidable opponent late in games due to his ability to limit hard contact.

As Boehm frustrated opposing hitters, he thrived in high-pressure situations. The Taylor, Texas native recorded eight saves, making the transition from San Jacinto College seem effortless. Against tougher competition, the Longhorns reliever took his game to another level.

Over the last few days, MLB teams have been busy adding Longhorns to their minor league systems. Earlier this week, infielder Peyton Powell signed with the Toronto Blue Jays after going undrafted. Three Longhorn players were also selected in the MLB Draft.

Although Boem’s time at Texas was short-lived, he showed that he has the tools to be a very good reliever. His arsenal includes a fastball in the mid-nineties with movement to keep hitters off balance. While his pro career is just beginning, Boem could end up being a steal for the Mariners and an essential piece in high-leverage situations.

LSU reliever Christian Little drafted by Seattle Mariners

Christian Little was picked in the 11th round after two seasons at LSU.

With the 333rd pick in the 2024 MLB draft, the [autotag]Seattle Mariners[/autotag] have drafted [autotag]Christian Little[/autotag], a right-handed pitcher from LSU.

Little, the Vanderbilt transfer, has been in Baton Rouge for two seasons after spending two years at Vandy. During his career at LSU, Little finished with a 4-2 record and a 7.16 ERA. He had 80 strikeouts and 45 walks over 64.1 innings of work.

Little started his career as a starting pitcher for Vandy but has since transitioned into a bullpen role. He made 14 starts in two years for Vandy and eight starts in his first year at LSU but he did not make any starts this year in 23 appearances.

Little is a talented pitcher but he has struggled with location. That is a big reason why he has slid all the way down to the 11th round. He still has good stuff and I believe the Mariners can bring out the best version of him.

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Duke baseball coach Chris Pollard reacts to closer Charlie Beilenson getting drafted

With All-ACC closer Charlie Beilenson headed to the Seattle Mariners, Duke coach Chris Pollard took to social media to praise his star.

It wouldn’t shock any Duke baseball fans to know Jonathan Santucci and Charlie Beilenson were the first two Blue Devils off the board in the 2024 MLB draft.

After the Mets took Santucci in the second round, the Seattle Mariners took Beilenson in the fifth round to add him to their farm system. Duke baseball coach Chris Pollard took to X (the social media platform formerly known as Twitter) to sing his closer’s praises.

“What a story,” Pollard wrote. “Bet on himself. Now he’s got two Duke masters degrees, an ACC championship ring, consensus all-American honors, and a fast track to the MLB.”

As Pollard noted, Beilenson leaves Duke after a massively successful 2024 season. He made a trio of First Team All-American squads (ABCA/Rawlings, NCBWA, and Perfect Game) and ended up as an All-ACC First Team member. He ended the season with a 2.01 ERA, piling up a 7-3 record and 12 saves in 34 appearances.

Over Duke’s last two games in the ACC Tournament against Miami and Florida State, he threw a combined 3.1 shutout innings with two combined hits. The run resulted in a conference tournament title, yet another bullet on Beilenson’s 2024 resume.